Liberia’s Second Lady calls for transformation of ceremonial roles into active leadership at women’s summit in Morocco
CASABLANCA, Morocco – Against the backdrop of Morocco’s economic capital, Liberia’s Second Lady Snyleseh Stephenie Dahn-Koung delivered a powerful message at the Women’s Summit 2025, challenging traditional expectations and calling for a revolutionary approach to women’s leadership across Africa.
Speaking at the three-day summit held June 18-19 at the Hyatt Regency Casablanca, Dahn-Koung, who also serves as Executive Director of the Group of 77—Liberia’s official welfare entity for persons with disabilities—emphasized that women’s leadership in Africa today represents nothing short of a revolution.
“We’ve already played the role for ages in our homes, now it’s the time for us to sit at the table to build and to sustain our societies,” she told delegates during the summit, which operated under the honorary presidency of Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem.
Beyond Ceremonial Roles
The summit, now in its third edition, brought together prominent women leaders from Morocco, across Africa, and countries including Canada and the United States to explore themes of innovation, sustainable development, and women’s economic empowerment. As an Honorary Guest Speaker and Panelist, Dahn-Koung used the platform to advocate for a fundamental shift in how First and Second Ladies approach their roles.
“It’s time for the roles of First and Second Ladies to go far beyond ribbon-cutting and ceremonial appearances,” she stated. “We are uniquely positioned to advocate, to influence, and to open doors that others may not be able to.”
Her participation, facilitated by an invitation from the Startup Grow Foundation, underscored Liberia’s commitment to strengthening international cooperation around inclusive development and social advancement.
Strategic Partnerships for Change
During her visit to Morocco, Dahn-Koung engaged in several high-level discussions aimed at fostering cross-border collaboration. She met with Ghizlane Benjelloun, vice president of the National Observatory for the Rights of Children in Rabat, focusing on shared priorities related to child protection and support services for children with disabilities in both Liberia and Morocco.
In Casablanca, she also held discussions with Mayor Nabila Rmili, exploring strategies to support women with disabilities and promote their active participation in society. These engagements reflected a mutual interest in strengthening inclusive policy and building effective partnerships between institutions in the two countries.
Lessons from Liberian Resilience
Drawing from Liberia’s post-conflict experience, Dahn-Koung highlighted how women’s leadership has been central to national recovery and growth. “From the days of our peace movement, where women sat in silent protest to end conflict, to our collective response to the Ebola crisis, Liberian women have shown that when empowered, they become the pillars of national survival,” she explained.
The Second Lady emphasized that investing in women is not charity but a strategic approach to national resilience, urging African nations to intentionally design policies positioning women as leaders in peacebuilding, health systems, and economic recovery.
A Continental Vision
Dahn-Koung’s role connects to the enduring mission of Liberia’s Group of 77, a national social welfare initiative founded in 1977 by former President William R. Tolbert. Originally inspired by his international experiences, the program was established to serve the needs of persons with disabilities and continues to operate under the Office of the Vice President.
At the summit, she expressed eagerness to explore partnerships that move beyond conversation to action, particularly interested in cross-country collaborations for conferences on the status of women with disabilities, vocational training programs, and regional strategies to keep girls in school.
“I believe we must create more formal platforms for First and Second Ladies across Africa to coordinate our efforts, not as isolated champions, but as a unified voice,” she stated.
Message to Young African Women
The summit concluded with a clear message about the power of cooperation and inclusive leadership. For young African girls watching leaders like herself on the international stage, Dahn-Koung offered words of encouragement: “Do not wait for permission to lead. You already have the strength, the intelligence, and the potential within you.”
Quoting Liberia’s former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Africa’s first female president, she concluded: “If your dream doesn’t scare you, it isn’t big enough. Let your urge to lead be so challenging that it pushes you out of your comfort zone.”
